Dallas Mavericks News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Image credit: ClutchPoints

Mavericks’ Luka Doncic silences Thunder crowd’s ‘Luka sucks’ chant with Game 2 win

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Joey Mistretta | Last updated 5/10/24

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night. Dallas earned a 119-110 victory in the contest. Luka Doncic and PJ Washington led the Mavs with 29 points each, while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 points.

Doncic fell and hurt his face early in the game. Of course, he entered the affair with a right knee sprain. Doncic battled the injuries throughout the game, noticeably dealing with pain on the floor.

Additionally, Doncic dealt with no shortage of heckling from fans. The Thunder faithful even started a “Luka sucks” chant during the game. While speaking during his postgame press conference, Doncic revealed other nasty things that were said to him on Thursday.

“There was one guy courtside (talking) about my family,” Doncic said, via Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. “I don’t like that, man… Grown-a** man, you just can’t do that.”

Mavs star Kyrie Irving was also heckled during the game. Irving was even seen waving bye to the fans toward the end of the game.

Fans obviously should never bring someone’s family into their heckling. That is taking things way too far.

Doncic was seen having a conversation with a fan during the game. He did not approach the fan in an aggressive manner, rather opting to take the high road and talk things out.

In the end, Luka Doncic and the Mavericks sent the rowdy Thunder fans home unhappy after Dallas earned a huge win.

Luka Doncic plays through injury, heckling in big win

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots beside Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the second quarter of game two of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Doncic has struggled with his shot in the playoffs. He has still found ways to be effective, but he was able to enjoy a much more efficient shooting performance on Thursday evening.

He ultimately went 11-21 (52.4 percent) from the field and 5-8 (62.5 percent) from deep. Doncic still contributed in other ways like he always does, recording 10 rebounds and dishing out seven assists.

Washington and Hardaway also played crucial roles in the scoring department. Kyrie Irving only scored 13 points but still finished the game with a plus-minus of nine. Kyrie also had 11 assists in the win.

“He can do everything on the floor,” Doncic said of Irving’s all-around impact on games, via NBA TV. “We should talk about his defense too. He’s been playing amazing defense these whole playoffs. I know a lot of guys won’t talk about it, he’s been amazing on both sides, helping everybody. Like I always say, it’s amazing to have him on our team and to learn from him a lot.”

The Mavericks will return home on Saturday. Luka Doncic has praised Mavs fans in the past, and he is surely looking forward to returning and playing in front of them after Thursday’s unnecessary heckling in Oklahoma City.

Game 3 will take place on Saturday afternoon in Dallas at the American Airlines Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM EST.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: